Occupational Engagement and Academic Major Satisfaction: Vocational Identity's Mediating Role. Issue 2 (June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cox, Daniel W.; Bjornsen, Abby L.; Krieshok, Thomas S.; Liu, Yan
• Is Part Of: Career development quarterly. Volume 64:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 169
• Page End: 180
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Subjects: occupational engagement -- decision making -- career counseling -- vocational identity -- college students; Vocational guidance -- Periodicals; Career development -- Periodicals; Career education -- Periodicals; 370.11305
• DOI: 10.1002/cdq.12049
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0889-4019

Abstract

Abstract : This study examined vocational identity as a mediator of the relationship between occupational engagement (i.e., participation in a breadth of activities and interactions) and academic major satisfaction. Furthermore, the authors evaluated whether satisfaction with academic major related to academic success (i.e., grade point average). The mediational model was tested in a sample of undergraduate students ( N = 215). Results indicated that occupational engagement significantly predicted academic major satisfaction and that vocational identity fully mediated that relationship. These findings support occupational engagement as an important contributor to adaptive career decision making and encourage research on occupational engagement as an intervention point for career counselors.